Across the Globe, a Flood of Postcards Brightens the Days of Seniors in St. Ingbert
Notification for the Community: Mass Delivery of Postcards for Senior Citizens - "Greeting Seniors Residents": An influx of postcards targeted at the elderly community
Elderly residents at the Caritas nursing home St. Barbara in St. Ingbert eagerly assembled, their eyes gleaming with anticipation as employees prepared to present a unique collection. In their hands lay a multitude of postcards, showcasing pictures of scenic beaches, majestic mountains, and historic churches. As each postcard was unveiled, expressions of wonder and recognition filled the room.
For several days, the senior residents had been inundated with a different kind of mail—not the usual correspondence from government offices, but heartfelt messages in the form of postcards. Hailing from destinations such as the North and Baltic Seas, famous cities like Dresden and Unna, foreign lands such as France, Holland, and Greece, and even exotic locations like Africa, India, Thailand, and Hawaii, these cards shared holiday greetings from strangers wishing to spread joy to the seniors in Saarland.
Inspired by an online post from employee Isabell Meyers, an initial plea intended for relatives was published under the headline "St. Barbara is on a Journey - and You Can Join!" Directress Karina Titze expressed her hopes that the residents, who could not set off on their own holidays due to current circumstances, would still be able to embark on a mental journey through the cards they received. "We need your support for this," she wrote, appealing to relatives, friends, and compassionate strangers to send a traditional postcard. "Because: 'Every card brings a piece of holiday, joy, and variety into everyday life.'"
The response was overwhelming. In just a few days, more than 400 cards arrived, adorned with holiday experiences, information about landmarks, and warm wishes. One woman contributed 30 cards, another donated a postcard collection book, and a woman from Bremen even created her own album to send.
"This is simply incredible," said Evelyne Bahr, head of social services. The idea for this action originated from the Caritas old people's home Heilig Geist in the Palatinate town of Frankenthal. The team there, led by director Florian Kutschke-Kaess, had already launched a similar project in 2016 and repeated it last year, with 380 cards arriving and the residents greatly appreciating it.
As the appeal gained traction on social media, the action in Saarland seemed destined to reach an even wider audience. Thousands of people liked the petition or shared it on various platforms. "That's just crazy, we didn't expect anything like this at all," marveled Bahr.
The project not only added a much-needed dose of excitement to the daily routine but also sparked lively conversations about past travels and shared memories. During one morning conversation circle, Hildegard Hellenthal (86) recalled visions of France and even the island of Crete, where she had once vacationed. With a sparkle in her eyes, Hellenthal reminisced about her family's adventures and her children learning to swim in the Mediterranean Sea.
Evelyne Bahr expressed her hope that this wouldn't be a one-time event, suggesting that other retirement homes and care facilities for the disabled might benefit from similar postcard projects. "I would be delighted if other institutions also received post," she said, recognizing the potential for such initiatives to alleviate loneliness and bring joy to countless elderly individuals.
Even casual images of swimwear models from past decades brought amusement. An anonymous sender shared a message that read, "Dear residents, there was such great fashion in the past decades. Enjoy your memories." When the card with the question "Are you a lucky one?" arrived, it was the writer herself who responded, "Dear residents, of course, you are all lucky with such creative caregivers!" The seniors applauded, moved by the outpouring of love and words of encouragement.
It's heartening to see the power of human connection in bringing joy and comfort to those who might otherwise feel isolated. As the postcards continued to pour in, Bahr and her team were reminded of the potential for compassionate actions to positively impact the lives of seniors, sparking a wave of happiness in even the most trying of times.
- The community policy of sending heartfelt postcards to seniors found a welcomed placement in the employment policy of many individuals, adding a piece of holiday, joy, and variety to the everyday lives of the elderly.
- Amidst the flood of postcards, the senior residents found their home-and-garden memories blooming once again, as pictures of scenic landscapes and historic landmarks brought familiar sights and stories of past travels.
